Scott has no problem with Samuels' conditioning -- especially after he shed almost 20 pounds in the off-season and came to training camp with a new, sculpted body and a focus that hasn't always been there throughout his career.

"It probably is the mental aspect," Scott said when asked what was holding Samuels back from playing more minutes. "It's nothing physical. The way he worked this summer, the way he came into training camp, what he did in the summer league . . . it's all between the ears right now. It's just getting that part of the game down pat. Once he does, he's going to be in the rotation on a steady basis."

Samuels' demeanor rarely changes, and he's one of the most popular players on the team. When he took a long outlet pass from Luke Walton and slammed it through during that second quarter at Indiana, the bench rose up as one and cheered. Even former teammates like Antawn Jamison, now with the Lakers, keep in touch. The two formed a special bond the past couple of seasons as Jamison tried to mentor the Cavs' young power forwards -- Samuels and Tristan Thompson.